Rhode Island General Laws Title 40. Human Services § 40-8.12-1. Purpose

Pursuant to § 42-12.3-2, it is the intent of the general assembly to create access to comprehensive health care for uninsured Rhode Islanders. The Rhode Island Medicaid program has become an important source of insurance coverage for low-income pregnant women, families with children, elders, and persons with disabilities who might not be able otherwise to obtain or afford health care. Under the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, all Americans will be required to have health insurance, with some exceptions, beginning in 2014. Federal funding is available with ACA implementation to help pay for health insurance for low-income adults, ages nineteen (19) to sixty-four (64), who do not qualify for Medicaid eligibility under Rhode Island general and public laws. It is the intent of the general assembly, therefore, to implement the Medicaid expansion for adults without dependent children authorized by the ACA, to extend health insurance coverage to these Rhode Islanders and further the goal established in § 42-12.3-2 in 1993.